Call for Methods: Trace Elemental Contaminants in Foods and Beverages

Call for Methods

AOAC INTERNATIONAL (AOAC) invites method developers to submit methods for First Action consideration and possible evaluation through the AOAC Official Methods^SM program. Prospective methods must utilize inductively coupled plasma-based mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) or alternative methodology able to quantify trace elemental contaminants in foods and beverages meeting the recently approved Standard Method Performance Requirements (AOAC SMPR®2024.002). Please note the working group which completed this SMPR is currently working on a trace essential and non-essential elements SMPR. If possible, please submit data regarding any additional elements (beyond As, Cd, Hg, and Pb) for the informational purposes of the working group; methods will not be evaluated based on performance of these additional elements.

Method Eligibility  

An eligible method must meet the various parameters outlined in the SMPR® and must be reliable, repeatable, and ultimately reproducible when used by trained analysts. Reference the SMPR® for definitions and the proposed method validation requirements for parameters such as limit of quantification, recovery, repeatability and reproducibility, system suitability, and reference materials. Inductively coupled plasma-based mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) or an alternative analytical technique that meets the method performance requirements is acceptable.

Interested method developers must provide their method and accompanying validation data (at minimum from a single-laboratory validation study) demonstrating that the method can meet the performance requirements.

AOAC Method Submission Requirements and Deadlines

• Candidate methods must be submitted in AOAC Official Methods of Analysis^SM (OMA) format, and the validation study data submitted as a manuscript in Journal of AOAC INTERNATIONAL format, NO EXCEPTIONS. Method safety must also be included for submission.
  • If you need assistance with putting your method or data into format, AOAC provides a formatting consulting service for a fee, please contact AOAC Science Programs for more information ([email protected]) 
• Full single laboratory validation is the minimum requirement at this stage (for First Action consideration), later followed by a reproducibility study for Final Action consideration.
• Method applications fees are waived for methods submitted as a response to this Call.
• Methods and manuscripts must be submitted by Wednesday, August 21, 2024. 

Submit your Method

Submit your method(s) for First Action status consideration (email submissions will not be accepted).

For general information or comments on the Official Methods^SM program please contact [email protected].

Photo by Peter Hermes Furian – stock.adobe.com